I've lived in this neighborhood for my whole life and this area has been the hub for art in Staten Island for as long as I can remember. I know it's in the paper/online but, it's existed well before my time. Why? Because of location. The proximity to the ferry lends to a more diverse and artistic community and the further away you get the less "hipsters" there are. Oh, and the East Village reference...... The East Village has been turned into some sort of tourist trap. It's like a Bohemian Disney World. How could you make such a comparison? Very out of date. I guess you aren't "hip". As well, if you'd like to refer to it as the new Williamsburgh, you would also be wrong because that neighborhood is comprised mostly of transplants from other states. Whereas this community has been here and most of the people that live in this neighborhood are natives of Staten Island. Have fun at this event if you can. I do appreciate safe neighborhoods, patriotism, suburban landscapes and open spaces just like you but If you could, please, just explain to me what your etc. entails.

Sincerely,
The guy who isn't afraid to use his real name in his screen name